Triple Warning to Count the Cost: Luke 14:31-33
“31) Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32) Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33) So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” Luke 14:31-33
Jesus now gives a third illustration of counting the cost of making Jesus Lord. The first was the cost to family and friends. Followers of Jesus need to take up their cross and be willing to die for Jesus. (Luke 14:25-27)
The second illustration was a huge construction project. It is very costly. It sets in course the direction of an entire life to complete it well. (Luke 14:28-30)
Now he gives the illustration of a king facing the prospects of a war. He is responsible to count the cost. There will be many casualties and much suffering. Jesus noted the other army is twice the size. It might be wiser to open negotiations for terms of peace.
To win the war will take unyielding resolve. It will cost much but also yield potential glory. To loose the war will cost everything and forfiet the kings throne.
The reality is that becoming a follower of Jesus Christ involves a life long warfare against the kingdom of darkness. There will be sacrifices and casualties. Victory is not ensured to the faint of heart, the double minded or those entangled in the affairs of this life.
Let me summarize the teaching of Jesus very clearly; “The Christian life is not easy.” Jesus admonished people to seriously count the cost before answering the call to follow Him.
This full context is ignored by the modern church. The casual contemporary approach to Christian living has watered down what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I preach the gospel with more fervor and clarity today than at any time in my ministry. But, I now aim for serious conversions and not shallow decisions.
I have dropped all emotional appeals for people to merely “try Jesus.” Instead, I encourage people to count the cost of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. I trust the Holy Spirit to radically convert and utterly transform people.
I would rather leave people wrestling with the Holy Spirit leading to true conversion than walking away from Christianity because it doesn’t make them happy! Jesus didn’t promise happiness, He died to make sinful people holy.
Daily Bible Commentary
By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
